“If I’m not dying, I better go live.” Christy Erickson’s cancer diagnosis led to life as a motorcyclist and strongman competitor

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Share on print

Christy Erickson was seven years old when her mom lost a three-year battle with breast cancer. 

This is the fourth story in a series that marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of papers on the role of EGFR mutation in lung cancer. This multimedia series is guest-edited by Suresh S. Ramalingam, a lung cancer expert, executive director of Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, and editor-in-chief of the journal Cancer. The series explores the process of discovery of EGFR mutations in lung cancer, the learning curve for using the drugs that target those mutations, and the unparalleled impact on patients with lung cancer and other diseases.

“Most of my memories of her are of her being in some form of treatment,” said Erickson, who is currently a stay-at-home mom of two teenagers in Macon, Georgia. 

To access this subscriber-only content please log in or subscribe.

If your institution has a site license, log in with IP-login or register for a sponsored account.*
*Not all site licenses are enrolled in sponsored accounts.

Login Subscribe
McKenzie Prillaman
McKenzie Prillaman
Reporter
Table of Contents

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

In the evolving landscape of pediatric oncology, survivorship research has become an essential component of our mission to improve long-term patient outcomes. At City of Hope, we are focused on not only curing childhood cancers but also ensuring that survivors live the healthiest lives possible. A significant part of my research has been dedicated to mitigating the long-term toxicities of cancer therapy—particularly cardiovascular complications that can arise decades after treatment.
Despite steady progress in reducing overall cancer mortality rates, cancer incidence in women is rising, according to the American Cancer Society’s “Cancer Statistics, 2025” report. Incidence rates in women 50-64 years of age have surpassed those in men, and rates in women under 50 are now 82% higher than their male counterparts, up from 51% higher in 2002. In 2021, for the first time, lung cancer incidence was higher in women under 65 than in men. 
McKenzie Prillaman
McKenzie Prillaman
Reporter

Never miss an issue!

Get alerts for our award-winning coverage in your inbox.

Login